Sounds from another era

Mind-blowing! That's the one word that readily came to mind when I listened (again) to this phenomenal song from the movie "Anjali". Back when I was a kid around the time this movie was released, I wasn't much into music appreciation though I must have had some vague idea about what good music was all about, helped along in no small measure by The Maestro. Otherwise, it's not possible that I would have been able to appreciate gems like "onna nenacchE pAttu padicchEn" and "ninnukOri varNam".

These songs are real masterpieces of orchestration; they show that music can be highly technical and pleasing, and that these two need not be mutually exclusive. If you can, get a good pair of earphones / headphones and listen to the above song. Unless you listen carefully enough, you'll fail to notice the chorus of males humming in an almost indiscernible, but unmistakable way. These voices add something to the song that I'm unable to express in words, but if you listen to it, you'll perhaps know why I am in tremendous awe of the man, the true jnAni of music - Maestro Ilayaraja.

Father to son

This is why I think Phil Collins is one of the better singers. You have to listen to this soothing melody to know what I mean. The lyrics follow:

Somewhere down the road you're gonna find a place
It seems so far, but it never is
You won't need to stay,
But you might lose your strength on the way

Sometimes you may feel you're the only one
'Cos all the things you thought were safe,
Now they're gone
But you won't be alone,
I'll be here to carry you along
Watching you till all your work is done

When you find your heart, you'd better run with it
'Cos when she comes along, she could be breaking it
No, there's nothing wrong,
You're learning to be strong

Don't look back
She may soon be gone, so don't look back
She's not the only one, remember that

If your heart is beating fast, then you know she's right
If you don't know what to say, well, thats all right
You don't know what to do?
Remember she is just as scared as you.

Don't be shy, even it hurts to say
Remember, you're gonna get hurt someday, anyway
Then you must lift your head, keep it there
Remember what I said
I'll always be with you don't forget
Just look over your shoulder I'll be there.
If you look behind you, I'll be there.

Now, that feels better.